Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is on the verge of assuming the chairmanship of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party in Nairobi. The party recently conducted constituency-level elections in Nairobi to select delegates responsible for electing county officials.
Following the polls, which saw Sakaja competing against Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, the governor’s allies emerged victorious in 16 out of the 17 constituencies. Only the Starehe Constituency polls were called off by the UDA National Elections Board due to isolated incidents of unrest. With each constituency allotted 20 slots for officials at the county level, the outcome of the remaining constituency is unlikely to significantly alter the final results.
Despite claims by Gakuya, who is supported by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, of sweeping all the seats, Sakaja’s camp reported securing 240 delegates out of the possible 340 positions after the polls. This decisive victory positions Sakaja to assume the role of chairman of the UDA Nairobi County branch, despite spirited opposition from Gachagua.
“I congratulate you on your victory. What is remaining now is for us to unite and finish the job because we have the numbers to get the job done. Let’s come together and ensure success this coming week,” Sakaja said on Saturday.
Since the Friday polls, Gakuya’s camp has maintained a conspicuous silence, refraining from making any public statements. The delegates elected during this process will play a crucial role in selecting county officials in the upcoming elections later this month.
Despite his victory as a delegate from Embakasi North Constituency, Gakuya’s chances of facing Sakaja in the county chairmanship contest appear slim due to his camp’s lack of sufficient numbers. Approximately 1,700 delegates from all 85 wards in Nairobi participated in the constituency elections, underscoring the significance of these high-stakes polls in determining UDA grassroots officials.
According to the UDA constitution, the 20 delegates elected from each of the 17 constituencies will wield the final decision-making power regarding the county branch leadership.
Sakaja has already declared his candidacy for the county chairmanship seat in the upcoming county polls, setting the stage for a potential face-off with Gakuya, who has also expressed interest in the same position. However, Gakuya’s aspirations suffered a significant setback following the loss of many of his allies at the constituency level.
Sakaja’s camp strategically composed a list of formidable aspirants, including former ward and constituency contenders, current MPs, and influential personalities who had previously contested under the UDA banner.
This move notably weakened Gakuya’s chances of securing support for his allies’ election. The leadership of the Nairobi branch holds paramount importance for the UDA party, as it will play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s electoral strategy for the 2027 elections, aiming to surpass opposition challenges.
Sakaja, drawing from his experience as the former national chairman of the now-defunct National Alliance (TNA) party, is poised to leverage his expertise in building a robust UDA structure in Nairobi ahead of the 2027 elections.
Concerns within UDA have been raised regarding the party’s performance in Nairobi during the 2022 polls, which was purportedly affected by the influence of strong Azimio structures. This underscores the significance of establishing a solid UDA presence in the capital city for future electoral success.
During that period, Nairobi was under the control of Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition, led by Sakaja’s predecessor Anne Kananu. Analysts often note that political parties with governors holding sway in counties tend to fare well in subsequent general elections due to the leaders’ significant influence.
In the 2022 polls, the Azimio coalition secured victory in 12 out of the 17 parliamentary seats in Nairobi County.
Among the prominent Azimio coalition MPs elected under the ODM banner were Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), George Aladwa (Makadara), Tom Kajwang’ (Ruaraka), Peter Orero (Kibra), and Antony Oluoch (Mathare). Meanwhile, under the Jubilee Party, Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Amos Mwago (Starehe), and Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji) emerged victorious.
The Embakasi South seat, affiliated with Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party, was retained by the incumbent Julius Mawathe. Additionally, Azimio secured the positions of Senator through Edwin Sifuna and Woman Representative, which was clinched by Esther Passaris. Conversely, Kenya Kwanza-affiliated legislators elected in Nairobi all hailed from the United Democratic Alliance, including Benjamin Gathiru (Embakasi Central), Mwafrika Augustine Kamande (Roysambu), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), and John Karie (Dagoretti South). The Kasarani MP seat was won by Ronald Karauri, who contested as an independent candidate.
